A wildlife charity called for a crackdown on crimes against birds yesterday after the discovery of four poisoned buzzards.

A wildlife charity called for a crackdown on crimes against birds yesterday after the discovery of four poisoned buzzards.

Investigators found a number of illegal baits alongside the dead birds in March this year in the Eaglesfield area of Dumfries and Galloway.

RSPB Scotland said that levels of poisoning have escalated in recent years.

Last year saw record levels of crimes against wild birds around the UK, according to the annual report by the RSPB.

The charity's investigations staff received a total of 229 reports of possible persecution incidents in 2007 in Scotland, 16 of which were from the Dumfries and Galloway area.

Last December, a red kite was found poisoned in the region, although authorities believe that it is not connected to the deaths of the buzzards.

RSPB Scotland has launched a campaign against the killing of birds of prey.

Chris Rollie, RSPB Scotland's area manager for Dumfries and Galloway, said: "When great efforts are being made to attract visitors to rural areas, the negative message of an illegally poisoned countryside is the last thing we need, while the effect on wildlife is appalling."

Dumfries and Galloway police has launched a joint investigation with the Scottish Government Rural Payments & Inspections Directorate, assisted by the RSPB.

Police said they were also concerned that members of the public could be put at risk from poisons being left in the open.

Michael Russell, the Environment Minister, said: "It is very disturbing that such incidents still take place.

"Everyone in the countryside must understand that using poisoned bait can lead to disastrous consequences and severely damage not only our wildlife, but also our reputation.

"I would urge anyone with a knowledge about the culprits to inform the police as soon as possible and help the Scottish Government stamp out such barbaric and cruel practices."